Corporate giving has recession-proof season

City Lights Electrical Co. in Canton is one of several local companies holding food and toy and support the troop drives this holiday season. On Saturday, 110 employees packed 500 boxes to send to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. ...

By Sue Scheible

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Sue Scheible

Posted Dec. 12, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 12, 2008 at 12:10 PM

By Sue Scheible

Posted Dec. 12, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 12, 2008 at 12:10 PM

» Social News

For last year’s holidays, City Lights Electrical Co. threw a big party at Gillette Stadium that cost $15,000. This year, the electrical contracting business spent the same, but the “party” was under an outdoor tent. Some 110 people, including employees, packed goods for the troops in Iraq and toys for their kids back home.

“It’s the best thing we’ve done,” says company president John Deady, 48, of Weymouth.

The country may be in hard times, but at local businesses, generosity is recession-proof.

The Joyal Capital Management Foundation Inc. in Plymouth gave 100 children a $100 gift card to spend at Dick’s Sporting Goods last Saturday. Owner Gary Joyal of Plymouth organized the buying party, and the children came with parents or other adults to shop at the store. They were selected after being nominated by teachers, families, and youth groups.

Other companies, including Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture, Sullivan Tire, Dunkin Donuts and Coldwell Banker are running toy and food drives. To find out how to contribute click here.

This year, City Lights founder Maryanne Cataldo, 50, of West Roxbury decided to skip the traditional party and hold the “support the troops” drive instead. One employee had just returned from a year’s deployment in Afghanistan and another was about to go Iraq.

Cataldo arranged to show support for the troops by sending a wide range of personal hygiene items and clothing. Large bins were placed on the company’s front lawn and other drop spots, inviting donations. Employees raised money to purchase gifts.

The community responded. The bins filled up with all sorts of personal hygiene items, soaps, underwear, shirts, T shirts and toothpaste.

The employees also decided to collect toys for the troops’ families at Westover Air Force Base.

On Saturday, adults and children formed assembly lines under the tent, packing the boxes. A military truck came from the Westover base to collect the toys.

Page 2 of 3 - The employees give high marks to the switch. “The party is just for one night of enjoyment, while this has a longer lasting effect, for the soldiers and their families,” said City Lights electrician Michael Smart, who is also city councilor in Weymouth. “Everybody was easily willing to give up the party.”

Three days later, City Lights receptionist Lauren Possick, 33, of Foxboro said employees were still talking about the party, “It was an amazing moment for all of us, because it really captured the true essence of the holiday spirit,” Possick said. “I'm very grateful to have been a part of it. The generosity from the community was overwhelming.”

John Deady, president of City Lights, who describes himself as “somewhat gruff, not touchy feely” called the event “the proudest day of my 13 years at City Light. And we’ve done some big jobs that I’ve been very proud of, including the electrical work at Gillette Stadium and hurricane relief.”

Dunkin’ Donuts locations at 152 Center St. and 355 Washington St. in Pembroke are collecting toys for the Home for Little Wanderers through Dec. 16. The home’s greatest need this year is gifts for teenagers.

Bernie & Phyl's Furniture and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage New England are collecting gifts for the Home for Little Wanderers until Dec. 16. Gifts can be dropped off at the Bernie & Phyl's store at 180 Wood Road in Braintree, or at the Coldwell office at 17 Canton Ave. in Milton.

Sullivan Tire is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at its 47 stores in New England through Dec. 16. A list of store locations can be found at sullivantire.com.

The Plymouth branch of HarborOne Credit Union is collecting nonperishable items for the Greater Plymouth Food Warehouse through the holidays. Contributors are eligible for a free photo with Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 13. HarborOne will waive fees for coin counting to anyone who brings change to donate.

The New England Patriots are asking fans to drop off new or gently used children’s coats at any Patriot Place retailer before or after the Dec. 21 game against the Arizona Cardinals. The coats, which will be donated to Cradles to Crayons, can also be dropped off anytime through Dec. 24, with some Patriot Place retailers offering discounts and prizes for coat donations.